Footwear with two-plate system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to footwear which has improved shock absorbency due to cushioning within a two-plate system. The orthotic or upper plate and bottom plate are separated by cushioning. The orthotic plate preferably provides rigid support between heel and metatarsal region. The bottom plate may utilize multiple rigid segments whereby the toe region is flexible. The bottom plate may also have gripping elements which are permanently or removeably attachable to the plate to compensate for wear, or for a change in activities. The cushioning between the upper and bottom plates distributes force produced at individual points on the bottom plate over the entire upper plate, thereby eliminating pressure points on the foot.

This application is a continuation in part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/463, 694, filed Aug. 10, 2006, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/409,751, filed Apr.7, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,416.

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to footwear which has improved shockabsorbency, comfort, and versatility.

2. Background Art

The following patents are believed to be representative of prior artefforts to solve the problems addressed by the current invention andother problems: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2, 682, 712; 4,377,042; 5,317,822;5,353,522; 5,410,821; 5,615,497; 5,996,252; 5,727,334; 6,345,454;3,538,628; 4,279,083; 4,377,042; 4,463,505; 5,317,822; 5,339,543;5,353,522; 5,410,821; 5,555,650; 5,615,497; 5,727,334; 5,782,014;5,836,090; 5,867,923; 5,996,252; 6,205,683; 6,345,454; 6,389,712; USPublications 2003/0200675; 2005/0144254; and 2003/0230007.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide improvedfootwear.

Accordingly, in one possible embodiment, footwear is provided that maycomprise one or more elements such as, for example, an upper and a rigidorthotic plate adjacent to the upper. Padding having a top side and abottom side is positioned adjacent a lower surface of the rigid orthoticplate.

A bottom plate may comprise a rigid front portion and a rigid rearportion. The rigid front portion and the rigid rear portion may beconnected by a flexible portion in the metatarsal region of the footwearwhereby the rigid front portion is bendable with respect to the rigidrear portion. Padding is positioned between the rigid orthotic plate andthe bottom plate such that the bottom side of the padding is positionedadjacent an upper surface of the bottom plate. The padding forms a shockabsorbing layer thereby preventing contact between the rigid orthoticplate and the bottom plate.

In one embodiment, the rigid orthotic plate extends from a metatarsalregion of the footwear to a heel area of the footwear. A front sectionassociated with the rigid orthotic plate is bendable with respect to therigid orthotic plate at the metatarsal region of the footwear. Thebendable front section extending from the rigid orthotic plate and thefront portion of the bottom plate may bend at the same or approximatelythe same position in the metatarsal region.

The front section can be secured to the rigid orthotic plate or separatefrom it such that the front section is movable with respect to the rigidorthotic plate. In one embodiment, the front section comprises paddingor covered padding, which can be extension of the padding between theshoes and/or the like.

In one embodiment, only the padding is positioned between the rigidorthotic plate and the bottom plate. The bottom plate may comprise asmaller maximum thickness than a maximum thickness of the rigid orthoticplate. The rigid orthotic plate may comprise an arched portion betweenthe heel area and the metatarsal region of the footwear. A lower surfaceof the rigid orthotic plate may be substantially flat from themetatarsal region to the heel area of the footwear.

The footwear of claim may comprise a plurality of gripping membersextending from the lower side of a bottom plate. The gripping membersmay be mounted so that they do not extend into the padding where theymight engage the orthotic plate. The shock absorbing layer formed by thepadding isolates and prevents interconnection between the rigid orthoticplate and the gripping members. The gripping members may or may not beremovable.

The present invention provides methods for making footwear which maycomprise one or more steps such as utilizing an orthotic plate that isrigid from a heel of the footwear to a metatarsal region of the footwearand providing a toe section extending from the metatarsal region to atoe end of the footwear for use with the orthotic plate. The toe sectioncan be bendable with respect to the orthotic plate at the metatarsalregion. Other steps might comprise securing the orthotic plate to anupper and to a top side of padding. Additional steps may comprisesecuring to the bottom of the padding a bottom plate comprising a firstrigid section and a second section. The first rigid section can extendbetween the heel and the metatarsal region of the footwear, with thesecond section then extending between the metatarsal region of thefootwear and a toe region. The second section is moveable with respectto the first rigid section to permit the user to flex the toes. Thesecond section may also be rigid.

Padding can be utilized between the orthotic plate and the bottom plateto form a shock absorbing layer which isolates the orthotic plate fromthe bottom plate thereby preventing contact between the orthotic plateand the bottom plate.

The method may further comprise steps such as securing the first rigidsection to the second rigid section with a flexible portion to permitmovement of the first rigid section with respect to the second rigidsection. The footwear method may further comprise providing that the toesection is comprised of the padding, which may be covered, and used forflexibly supporting the user's toes.

The method may further comprise utilizing only the padding between theorthotic plate and the bottom plate. The method may comprise forming theorthotic plate with a raised arch section. The method may furthercomprise securing a plurality of gripping members to extend from thelower side of the bottom plate such that mountings for the grippingmembers do not extend into the padding at all or do not extend to theextent they might contact the orthotic plate. In this way, the shockabsorbing layer formed by the padding isolates and preventsinterconnection between the orthotic plate and the gripping members.

In another embodiment, a method for making footwear may compriseutilizing a first plate that is rigid from a heel of the footwear to ametatarsal region of the footwear, securing the first plate with respectto an upper, a top side of padding, and a bottom plate of the footwearso that the padding is between the first plate and the bottom plate. Thepadding can be used to form a shock absorbing layer to isolate the firstplate from the bottom plate thereby preventing contact between the firstplate and the bottom plate. Other steps might comprise providing thatthe bottom plate is formed as a rigid first section and a secondsection. The first section extends between a heel of the footwear and ametatarsal region of the footwear. The second section extends betweenthe metatarsal region and a toe of the footwear. Other steps maycomprise flexibly joining the second section to the first section at themetatarsal region of the footwear. In this embodiment, the first sectionand the second section bend with respect to each other to allow a toeregion between the metatarsal region of the footwear and the toe end ofthe footwear to bend starting from the metatarsal region. In oneembodiment, the second section can be rigid or semi-rigid or flexible.

The method may utilize a toe region extending from the first plate whichis flexible. In one embodiment, only the padding is between the firstplate and the bottom plate, which may comprise at least the firstsection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the presentinvention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like elements may be given the same or analogous reference numbersof a water purifier apparatus in accord with the present invention.

While the present invention will be described in connection withpresently preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is notintended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary,it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalentsincluded within the spirit of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the footwear;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the footwear;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the footwear;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the footwear;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a footwear embodiment showing a multi-pieceorthotic plate;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a footwear embodiment with a plate and grippingmembers;

FIG. 7 is a view of an embodiment of high-top footwear with a plate andgripping members;

FIG. 8 is an expanded view of an embodiment of footwear;

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of a ski boot;

FIG. 10 is the bottom view of an embodiment of the footwear;

FIGS. 11 A, B, and C are side views of possible embodiments of thegripping members that could be utilized in the footwear;

FIG. 12 is an expanded view of an embodiment of the footwear which mayor may not have removable and replaceable components, and/or may or maynot utilize closed-cell foam padding;

FIG. 13 is an expanded view of an embodiment of the footwear which mayor may not utilize removable and replaceable components, and/or may ormay not utilize foam padding;

FIG. 14 is an expanded view of an embodiment of the footwear which mayor may not utilize removable and replaceable components, and/or may ormay not utilize open-cell foam padding; and

FIG. 15 is a view of an embodiment of layered padding may or may notutilize layers of open-cell and closed-cell foam and/or other types ofpadding.

FIG. 16 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention whichcan utilize an upper plate or orthotic and a lower plate which permitmovement between the metatarsal region or balls of the feet and thetoes;

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein a rigid orthotic (upper plate) and a first rigid lower plateportion extend between the heel and the metatarsal region, wherebymovement from the metatarsal region can be provided with a second rigidportion for the lower plate and a moveable and/or flexible portion foruse with the rigid orthotic (upper plate).

FIG. 18 is a side view of a possible embodiment of an embodiment of thepresent invention wherein a moveable toe portion of an upper plateoperates in conjunction with a moveable toe region of a lower plate, andwherein the upper and lower plates are rigid between the heel and themetatarsal region.

While the present invention will described in connection with presentlypreferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended tolimit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it isintended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalentsincluded within the spirit of the invention and as defined in theappended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For purposes of the description of this invention, the terms “upper,”“lower,” “right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” andother related terms shall be defined in relation to embodiments of thepresent invention as it is shown and illustrated in the accompanyingfigures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assumevarious alternative structures and processes and still be within thescope and meaning of this disclosure. Further, it is to be understoodthat any specific dimensions and/or physical characteristics related tothe embodiments disclosed herein are capable of modification andalteration while still remaining within the scope of the presentinvention and are, therefore, not intended to be limiting.

One way to increase the comfort and also shock absorbency of footwear isto increase the amount of shock absorbing material and/or by usingpadding comprised of various materials, especially foam. This is notablyadvantageous in athletic footwear worn by runners or other athletes whoare involved in rigorous sporting activities since the wearer's footwearand body encounters substantial forces especially from the hard surfaceswhich are contacted by the wearer's footwear. And, even in the footwearof this invention worn by non-athletes, padding makes the footwear morecomfortable. Other types of padding may comprise cushioning material ofvarious types, air bladders or bubbles, springs, hydraulics and/or othercushioning mechanism.

In conjunction with the superior shock absorbing advantages of thepadding, the padding may be fixably secured or may be wholly orpartially removeably attached and interchanged with padding types and/orvarying thicknesses that are used for special purposes such as marathonsor long distance runs. Also, when the padding shows wear or loses someof the shock absorbing capabilities or has changed compressibility, theworn padding can be replaced with new padding. If desired, by makingparts or components of the footwear replaceable, the durability of thefootwear may also be enhanced.

Several variations of footwear of this invention are illustrated inFIGS. 1-18. FIG. 1 shows one variation of the footwear with an upper 30having an inside 31 and an outside 34. The footwear also has an orthoticplate or upper plate 50 that has a first surface 53 and a second surface55. In one embodiment, the orthotic or upper plate 50 is rigid, at leastbetween the heel and the metatarsal region to support the user's foot,which is also rigid between the heel and the metatarsal region. Aflexible joint 131 (See FIG. 5, 8, 16-18), which may be of manydifferent types, may be provided at the metatarsal region. In this way,the toe region is moveable and may be supported by an extension from theorthotic, which may be. rigid or flexible and/or may simply comprise apadded region. Other embodiments are discussed hereinafter. Orthotic orupper plate 50 may have various shapes such as a curved and raised archsection that is higher than the heel and toe regions. In thisembodiment, the heel region can be higher than the toe region.

A layer of padding 13, having an upper portion 16 and a bottom side 8,can also serve as the wear surface. In another embodiment, a bottomplate is utilized. Upper portion 16 may be utilized to support the toeportion of the foot rather than an extension from orthotic or upperplate 50. Thus, the orthotic or upper plate may be rigid between theheel and metatarsal region, and then padding may support the toe region.

In one possible embodiment, there are stabilizing blades 19 within thepadding. The style of the upper 30 and the manner of securing it toorthotic plate 50 will vary depending on the design of the footwear. Theupper 30 includes all types of footwear, and the invention is especiallyadvantageous in closed footwear such as in athletic shoes, work boots,hiking boots, etc. The upper 30 may be construction of any type ofmaterial such as canvas, leather, synthetic leather, vinyl, plastic,etc., or a combination thereof and any other materials known to or usedby one of ordinary skill in the art. The upper 30 can be secured to theorthotic plate or upper plate using conventional techniques such asgluing, but it could also be stitched and/or secured by adhesive.Alternatively, the upper 30 may be removeably attached to the orthoticplate such as by a stud and aperture connection, Velcro ®, i.e., matedhooks and loops, as shown in FIG. 8. As an alternative, other means ofattachment such as fasteners, adhesives, magnets, a wedge and apertureconnection, a screw, a bolt, a hinge, a staple, a nut, studs, snaps,wedges and a combination thereof may be used, to allow replacement orinterchanging of the orthotic plate. An insole 145, with appropriatelysized sides 132 and 137, which may be made of textile material such ascotton, felt, linen, polyester, or leather, silicon, or other suchmaterials that one of the ordinary skill of the art uses as insoles mayalso be placed inside the footwear as in, e.g., FIG. 5.

The orthotic plates of the footwear provide superior support, andtypically have a raised arch area 28, see e.g., FIGS. 3-4, and may alsohave a flexible or a semi-flexible front portion. The front portion isthen bendable with respect to the rigid portion of the orthotic or upperplate. Further, the orthotic plate has a first surface 124 and secondsurface 126. The orthotic plate may be a unitary piece or may be formedof more than one piece, with for example, a first piece 122 thattypically extends from the metatarsal region to or beyond the front toearea 135, and a second piece 130 that extends to the rear most portionof the footwear. The second piece 130 is preferably rigid or nearlyrigid. A hinge-like area 131 adjacent to the end 121 of the first piece122 may be semi-flexible or flexible, e.g., FIG. 5. This region may be asoft or flexible plastic, or may comprise a groove, or any other meansfor permitting movement. If desired, the angle of movement may be in therange of about 30 degrees plus or minus ten or twenty degrees. Ifdesired, the bending may be mostly or perhaps all in the upperdirection, as if the user's toes are pulled upwardly. The orthotic platetypically extends from a metatarsal area 137 of a wearer's foot, or theballs of the foot, to the heel region and/or rearmost portion of thefootwear generally proximate to the heel area. In other embodiments, abottom plate 80 may also be incorporated below the padding, forming atwo-plate system. See FIGS. 6-8, and 12-14. The bottom plate may also beformed so as to bend in concert with the upper plate 50.

The footwear of this invention has cushioning 13 or padding below theorthotic plate 50. There may also be an undersole or outsole 25, seeFIGS. 3-4, beneath the cushioning or padding 13, but the padding orportions thereof may also serve as the wear surface 8. See FIGS. 1-2.The undersole or outsole of 25 may be fixedly or removeably attached tothe padding by the various ways known to one skilled in the art. Theundersole or outsole 25 may be rigid or semi-rigid. In one possibleembodiment, the padding 13 can be removable, changeable, and replaceableand is preferably provided in a shape substantially similar and/oridentical to the shape of the orthotic plate, such that it will coverthe lower surface of the entire orthotic plate. In other embodiments,the padding can extend at least the length and the width of thefootwear, although in some embodiments, the padding may be thinnerand/or tapered 13 a in the toe area of the footwear. See e.g., FIG. 6.The padding may be of a variety of heights and may vary depending uponthe wearer's needs and/or uses as well as the type of padding utilized.In one embodiment, the padding is between about ½ inch to about 3½inches in height in its uncompressed state, but may be of a lesser orgreater height as well. In the embodiments without a bottom plate, e.g.,FIGS. 1-4, the padding is preferably about one ½ inch to about 3 ½inches in height and in the embodiments with a bottom plate 80, seee.g., FIGS. 6-8, and 12-15 the padding may be about ½ inch to about 2inches in height, but may be of other heights as well.

The padding or cushioning layer 13 may comprise a variety of materialsespecially foamed materials which have elastic or rebounding properties,such as materials comprised of silicon, neoprene, natural rubber foams,synthetic rubber foams and polyurethane, polyether and polyester foamsneoprene, Vinyl Nitrile, Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR), Polyethylene(PE), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene propylene terpolymer (EPT),EPT/PE/Butyl Rubber, Neoprene/EPT/SBR, epicblorohydrin (ECH), andnitrile (NBR) or a combination thereof, or other cushioning materialsknown or used by one skilled in the art. Alternatively, in the two platesystem other means can be used as cushioning such as leaf and coil woundsprings, with or without padding (not shown). The density and cellcharacteristics of the padding of the foam material are believed to becritical features in terms of providing the appropriate cushioning andrebound characteristics for cushioning and may vary depending upon thetype of activity of footwear in question.

In one embodiment, the cushioning or padding, such as foam 14, has a lowto medium density so it is deformable. A low density padding comprisesmaterial within the range of about 0.08 g/cm.sup.3 to about 0.50g/cm.sup.3. An even more preferred range of densities for padding ismaterial between about 0.1 g/cc to 0.30 g/cc.

The padding 13 may be constructed of a closed-cell foam 14 b material,see. e.g., FIG. 12, having a density in the range of about 0.08 g/cc to0.50 g/cc, or of other suitable densities known to one skilled in theart. Alternatively, open-cell foam 14 a material, e.g., FIG. 14, havinga density in the range of about 0.08 g/cc to 0.40 g/cc may be used, orof other suitable densities known to one skilled in the art.

Closed-cell foam material, in general, may demonstrate a greaterresistance to wear as compared to open-cell foams. Open cell foam is amaterial where the open-air chambers in the foam are interconnected.This makes for extremely soft and highly compressible foam. Whileopen-cell foam may be very comfortable, it has some disadvantagesbecause of the high compressibility of the foam, especially if it is ofa density which is too low or of a material that absorbs water. Incontrast, the open air chambers in the closed-cell foam are completelysurrounded by foam and not interconnected. As a result, the closed cellfoam does not compress easily, yet provides good shock absorbency sincethe air pockets in the foam are completely encapsulated. As a furtheralternative, since open-cell foam is typically more comfortable, i.e.,more compressible and since closed-cell foam provides firmer support, adual or multi-density padding may also be used, alternating layers ofclosed-cell foam 14 b arid open-cell foam 14 a, with the closed cellfoam giving stability and the open cell foam giving a cushioning effect.See e.g., FIG. 15. Depending upon the materials used and thecharacteristic desired, the alternating layers may each be of about 0.25inches to about 1 inch in thickness, but may also be of otherthicknesses.

The foam padding may be fabricated by pouring foamed materials into aframe that is heated and processed into sheets that are then cut tosize. However, the cost of cutting and shaping foam is high and resultsin significant material wastage. To avoid wasting materials, the paddingis preferably molded for each size and style of footwear. Additionally,a portion of the foam may be compression molded.

In some cases, depending upon the characteristics of the foam materialsand the height of foam used, the materials may have undesireddeformation. To counteract any undesired deformation and/or to controlthe characteristics of the low density foam, the padding may further mayhave supporting or stabilizing blades incorporated therein. See FIGS.1-4. In these circumstances, the stabilizing blades 19 may beincorporated into the foam and/or a semi-rigid plate or rigid plate maybe positioned below the underside of the cushioning with or withoutstabilizing blades in the cushioning.

The stabilizing blades 19 are made of rigid, semi-rigid flexible, and/orsemi-flexible materials such as rubber, plastic or denser foams madefrom EVA, silicon, neoprene, and the like incorporated into the foam, aswell as plastic, rubber, metal, metal alloys, vinyl. There aremultitudes of ways the stabilizing blades 19 may be arranged or positionwithin the foam and/or cushioning. For example, FIGS. 1-2 show footwearwherein the stabilizing blades are parallel to one another. FIGS. 3-4 incontrast, show footwear wherein the stabilizing blades are arranged in across hatch or grid fashion. The blades may be placed throughout thefoam or may be concentrated in certain areas, or alternatively spacedconsistently, or fairly consistently. The blades 19 are preferably about½ inch to about 1½ inches apart, but may be of other distances. Theblades may also be straight, waved, and/or curved. The blades could alsobe arranged in a variety of other ways by example, but withoutlimitation such as triangles, rectangles, hexagons, octagons (notshown). The blades may also zigzag through the foam, and mayalternatively be arranged in a wave like patterns (not shown). There aremany ways the stabilizing blades may be incorporated into the foam. Theymay be incorporated into the foam at the time of the originalmanufacture of the foam, or heat bonded or glued to already made foam.There are other means which also may be used to stabilize the foam suchas a plurality of small springs.

As an alternative or in addition to the stabilizing blades, a rigid orsemi-rigid bottom 80 plate may be placed beneath the foam layer. SeeFIGS. 6-8, 12-14, 16-18. If a bottom plate is used along with theorthotic plate or upper plate, the footwear of this invention has atwo-plate system. The padding between the upper plate and lower plateinsulates the user's foot from all manner of irregular upon which theuser may step. For instance, with a rigid upper plate and rigid lowerplate, a user might stand comfortably on a pipe or other object.

The bottom plate may comprise metal, plastic, compressed EVA or othercompressed foams, silicon, or neoprene foam. The bottom plate may serveas the wear surface, or may alternatively have an outsole furtherattached to the outer surface of the plate (not shown). The plate may bepermanently secured or not For instance, the bottom plate may be gluedor heat bonded to the foam, or may be removeably attached through meanssuch as a plurality of hooks and eyes such as Velcro® or mayalternatively have telescoping pins with an enlarged end like that of anail or screw head that attaches at one end to the orthotic plate andattaches at the other end to the plate. The bottom plate 80 may alsohave gripping members 75 such as spikes, cleats, studs, and the likepermanently or removeably attachable to the bottom plate 80.

FIG. 8 shows footwear that is disassembled or exploded in view and showsthe first surface 53 of the orthotic or upper plate 50 separated fromthe bottom surface 35 of the upper 30, the padding 13 separated from thesecond surface 55 of the orthotic plate 50, and the bottom plate 80separated from the cushioning 13. Bottom plate 80 may comprise multiplerigid sections which are relatively bendable with respect to each other.For instance, since upper plate or orthotic 50 bends at 131, bottomplate 80 may also bend or flex in the metatarsal region. FIGS. 13-14also show footwear that is disassembled or exploded, and FIG. 15 showspadding with layers of open-cell foam 14 a and closed-cell foam 14 b. Inuse, these counterparts are mated and fastened by applying pressure tothe hooks and loops, or other fastening means which engage each other.

The orthotic plate 50, which as shown in FIG. 8 comprises a first piece122, which is typically rigid, and a second piece 130 which may beflexible or rigid, and a hinged area in between 131. The hinge may beformed by a flexible plastic portion, a groove, or may be separate fromthe first piece 122. In another embodiment, the foam may be used forsupporting the toe region with only the first piece 122 being utilized.

The foam padding 13 may be securely attached to the orthotic plate.Alternatively, the orthotic can be removeably attached to the orthoticplate such as by a stud and aperture connection, Velcro® i.e., matedhooks and loops, fasteners, adhesives, magnets, a wedge and apertureconnection, a screw, a bolt, a hinge, a staple, a nut, studs, snaps,wedges and a combination thereof or by other means known to one skilledin the art. If a bottom plate 80 is also used, it may be securelyattached. Thus, the entire shoe may be secured together.

Alternatively, the bottom plate may be removeably attachable to thepadding by the same foregoing means or means such as Velcro® 22 or otherhook-and-loop type fasteners. See e.g., FIGS. 8, 12, and 14.Additionally, the orthotic plate 50 may also be removeably attachable tothe bottom 35 of the upper 30. Furthermore, the upper may be replacedwith another type or style of upper, such as an upper that is a sandalor open toed shoe, a dress upper, a boot, and other types of uppersknown to one skilled in the art that have been modified to be removeablyattachable such as by the means described herein for the orthotic plateand cushioning.

The components of FIGS. 8 and 15 may be permanently secured together orone or more may be removable. For example, the top 18 and the bottom 20of the padding 13 may have a layer, strip, or portion 22 of one of thecounterpart elements 22 a, 22 b of the hook-and-loop type fasteners,such as Velcro®. Above the top of the cushioning, the orthotic plate mayalso have at least one of the counterpart elements 22 b of thehook-and-loop type fasteners, such as Velcro®, which is compatible withthat the counterpart elements 22 a on the bottom surface 35 of the upper30. Alternatively, any of the components that are covered with Velcro®,could also have portions of both the hook and loop type elements as longas there are corresponding counterparts on the surface of the adjacentcomponent which is removeably attachable. See e.g., FIGS. 12-15. IfVelcro® or Velcro®-like material is used, it is preferably attached tothe top or bottom of the components such as the orthotic plate, frontportion 122, padding 13, or bottom plate 80 by adhesive, glue, or othersuitable means, such as stitching and heat bonding. The entire surfaceof the orthotic plate and cushioning or other such components may becovered by Velcro® or other attaching means or alternatively onlyportions such as the perimeter of the components may have Velcro® orattachment portions. It is preferred that the hook-and-loop fastenersused in the present invention be selected from the strongest of thoseavailable on the market to resist separation while worn. Still, evenwhen using such strong fasteners the wearer can remove worn padding andquickly install replacement padding or components by separating and thenpulling the padding from the bottom of the footwear and aligning andpressing the replacement padding in place. The pressure applied by thewearer's weight further anchors and/or secures the padding and otherremovable attachable components to the footwear. Once all the layersand/or counterparts which are removeably attachable, interchangeable,and replaceable are connected together with the upper, they look likeand function like conventional footwear.

The bottom plate 80 may also be permanently or removeably attached tothe padding 13 such as by a stud and aperture connection, Velcro®, i.e.,mated hooks and loops, fasteners, adhesives, magnets, a wedge andaperture connection, a screw, a bolt, a hinge, a staple, a nut, studs,snaps, wedges and a combination thereof or by other means known to oneskilled in the art. In the embodiment having a plate below thecushioning, the plate preferably extends substantially at least alongthe length of the cushioning, but may also be tapered upwardly if thefoam padding is also tapered or the toe area. See e.g., FIGS. 6-10, and12-14. Additionally, in some cases, the plate is the wear surface of thefootwear. See FIG. 9.

Again, the bottom plate 80 may also have gripping members 75 such asspikes, cleats, studs or other such gripping members which are permanentor removeably attachable to the bottom plate 80 that may be changed fordifferent uses such as golf, soccer, rugby, football and other sports oractivities where such footwear is helpful or useful, or removedaltogether for other activities where gripping members are unnecessaryor unwanted. See FIGS. 6-8, 10, and 12-14. The gripping members 75 arepreferably removeably attached to the bottom plate 80 shoe by insertinga threaded end 76 of the gripping member 75 into an aperture 70 in thebottom plate that has corresponding threading 71 and then turning orscrewing in the gripping member 75 until it is inserted. See FIGS. 8,10. The gripping members 75 may be snapped into the apertures and thenremoved such as by a tool (not shown). The gripping members may comprisea variety of shapes such as a spike end 90, see FIG. 11 a, multi-lobedend 91, see FIG. 11 b, a rounded end 92, see FIG. 11 c, or other shapesknown or used by one skilled in the art. Also see e.g. FIGS. 12-14.FIGS. 7 and 9 show embodiments of footwear that have a high top 100, andFIG. 9 has a two-plate system, but no gripping members, although thebottom plate may have a textured surface (not shown). Of course footwearwith gripping members may have a high top.

In the two-plate system, the gripping members fit to the bottom platebut preferably do not extend through the padding. Thus, the upper plateor orthotic can be completely insulated from the gripping members, Inthis invented footwear, the wearer will experience increased comfort andreduced stress when wearing footwear with gripping members, especiallywhen the footwear is worn for several hours and/or when the wearer isinvolved in rigorous activities and/or when the ground surface is hard.In fact, the gripping members may be hardly noticeable to the wearer,unlike those in conventional footwear.

FIGS. 16-18 shows an embodiment of the invention that can utilize upperplate 50 and bottom plate 80, which may comprise relatively moveablefront and rear portions. In one embodiment, lower plate 80 comprises arear portion 82 and a front portion 84, both of which may be rigid. Inthis embodiment or in other embodiments, orthotic plate 50 may be rigidbetween the heel and metatarsal region and flexible in the toe region.This was mentioned hereinbefore with respect to the other drawings, suchas FIG. 8.

Thus, in this embodiment, upper. plate or orthotic 50 may comprise orconsist of a rear or first portion 130 which is rigid between the heeland metatarsal region. The orthotic may be used to engage the shape ofthe arched region of the user's foot as well as the heel and metatarsalregions. Rear or first portion 130 may extend as far as from the end ofthe heel to the metatarsal region The front portion of orthotic 50 ispreferably flexible at least at the metatarsal region and may beflexible from the metatarsal region to the ends of the toes. The frontportion of orthotic 50 may be part of orthotic 50 or comprise anothermember, as discussed hereinafter.

Likewise, lower plate 80 may comprise a rear or first rigid portion 82which extends along the bottom of the shoe from the heel to themetatarsal region. A flex region may then be provided at the metatarsalregion indicated generally at 51 for lower plate 30 and at 131 fororthotic or upper plate 50. Thus, both the upper plate or orthotic 50and the lower plate 80 are made to permit flexing of the toe region. Theflex region at 51 and 131 may be implemented in many different ways foreach of the upper plate or orthotic 50 and the lower plate 80. Forinstance, for lower plate 80 and/or upper plate 50, a flexible plasticor rubber portion may be utilized which allows bending or flexing of thefootwear. Other means may include a narrow portion, a notched portion, aflexible material joined to both sections, or supported by the padding,or the like.

Thus, the footwear flexes or bends at the metatarsal region at a desiredangle, which may be less than about thirty degrees plus or minus ten ortwenty degrees from this amount. In one embodiment, the flexing isgenerally only in an upward direction, as the toes bend upwardly.

Lower plate rear portion 82 and/or front portion 84 of lower plate 80may also be rigid. Thus, forces on the feet caused by cleats or the likemounted on the moveable front portion 84 or the rear portion 82 aredistributed over the user's foot by padding 13 and also by orthotic 50.Thus, the user will not feel the individual cleats.

If desired, front region 122 of upper plate or orthotic 50 may beflexible, cushioned, or the like. Front region 122 of orthotic 50 maycomprise an extension of upper plate or orthotic 50 and/or may becompletely separate therefrom. Alternative, front region 122 maycomprise padding and perhaps the absence of a front portion of orthoticor upper plate 50, as perhaps shown more clearly in FIG. 17. Whileorthotic or upper plate 50 is preferably rigid from the heel to themetatarsal region, padding 13 is relatively flexible in the toe region.Front region 122 may comprise padding or other material and may beflexible to allow bending of the user's toes as the user walks. Lowerplate 80, in this embodiment, comprises two rigid portions that areflexibly joined together in the metatarsal region, as indicated at 51.In this embodiment, the rigid portion of orthotic or upper plate 50 mayextend only between the heel and the metatarsal region of the footwear.

In FIG. 18, a concept of the invention is shown in a shoe whereinpadding of some type, perhaps an extension of padding 13, is utilized inthe fore portion 122 adjacent orthotic or upper plate 50. Fore portion122 may comprise an insole or covered portion supported by padding ormay be constructed in many different ways. The flexible materialsupports the user's toes.

Preferably rigid sections 82 and 84 of bottom plate 80 are flexiblyjoined to allow flexing or bending of the footwear, generally by lessthan about thirty degrees, perhaps plus or minus ten or twenty degrees.In one embodiment, the front region 84 can comprise a thinner portion ortread pattern of lower plate 80, which inherently allows some flexing atleast in the metatarsal region as indicated by arrow 51

The resting angled shape of front region 84 can also be varied. Forexample, the front region resting position may be relatively flat asshown in FIG. 18, or may be angled or rolled more as shown in FIG. 17.

As noted above, the shoes can be secured together during assembly sothat the individual components, such as upper, upper plate, padding, andlower plate are not replaceable. Shoes can have a regular sole or acleated sole, which may comprise or consist of the lower plate. Thepadding completely insulates the upper plate or orthotic from the lowerplate. Thus, a force applied at any point on the lower plate spreads outand is applied uniformly to the user's foot, thereby protecting thefoot. While the presently preferred embodiments show only a two partbottom plate, if desired, multiple sections may be utilized on thebottom plate. For example, the front portion may comprise two or moresections. The rear section may provide support between the heel andmetatarsal region and have a bendable rear most section. Otherconfigurations could also be utilized.

The above description is that of preferred embodiments of the invention.Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from thespirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles ofpatent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Therefore, because many varying and different embodiments may be madewithin the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught. Because manymodifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed inaccordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to beunderstood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrativeof a presently preferred embodiment and not in a limiting sense.

1. Footwear comprising: an upper; a rigid orthotic plate secured withrespect to said upper; padding having a top side and a bottom side,wherein said top side is positioned adjacent a lower surface of saidrigid orthotic plate; a bottom plate comprising a rigid front portionand a rigid rear portion, said rigid front portion and said rigid rearportion being connected by a flexible portion in said metatarsal regionof said footwear whereby said rigid front portion is bendable withrespect to said rigid rear portion, said padding being positionedbetween said rigid orthotic plate and said bottom plate such that saidbottom side of said padding is positioned adjacent an upper surface ofsaid bottom plate, said padding forming a shock absorbing layer therebypreventing contact between said rigid orthotic plate and said bottomplate.
 2. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said rigid orthotic plateextends from a metatarsal region of said footwear to a heel area of saidfootwear, and a front section associated with said rigid orthotic platethat is bendable with respect to said rigid orthotic plate at saidmetatarsal region of said footwear.
 3. The footwear of claim 1, furthercomprising said front section being secured to said rigid orthotic platesuch that said front section is movable with respect to said rigidorthotic plate.
 4. The footwear of claim 3, wherein said padding formssaid front section.
 5. The footwear of claim 1, wherein only saidpadding is positioned between said rigid orthotic plate and said bottomplate.
 6. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said bottom plate comprises asmaller maximum thickness than a maximum thickness of said rigidorthotic plate.
 7. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said rigid orthoticplate comprises an arched portion between said heel area and saidmetatarsal region of said footwear.
 8. The footwear of claim 1, whereina lower surface of said rigid orthotic plate is substantially flat fromsaid metatarsal region to said heel area of said footwear.
 9. Thefootwear of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of gripping membersextending from said lower side of a bottom plate without extending intosaid padding, said shock absorbing layer formed by padding isolating andpreventing contact between said rigid orthotic plate and said grippingmembers.
 10. A method for making footwear comprising: utilizing anorthotic plate that is rigid from a heel of said footwear to ametatarsal region of said footwear, providing a toe section extendingfrom said metatarsal region to a toe end of said footwear for use withsaid orthotic plate, said toe section being bendable with respect tosaid orthotic plate at said metatarsal region; securing said orthoticplate with respect to an upper; securing said orthotic plate withrespect to a top side of padding; and attaching a bottom plate with afirst rigid section and a second section to said footwear, said firstrigid section extending between said heel and said metatarsal region ofsaid footwear, said second section extending between said metatarsalregion of said footwear and a toe region, said second section beingmoveable with respect to said first rigid section; utilizing saidpadding between said orthotic plate and said bottom plate, said paddingforming a shock absorbing layer to isolate said orthotic plate from saidbottom plate thereby preventing contact between said orthotic plate andsaid bottom plate.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprisingsecuring said first rigid section to said second section with a flexibleportion to permit movement of said first rigid section with respect tosaid second rigid section.
 12. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising providing that said toe section is supported by said padding.13. The method of claim 10, further comprising utilizing only saidpadding between said orthotic plate and said bottom plate.
 14. Themethod of claim 10, forming said orthotic plate with a raised archsection.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising securing aplurality of gripping members to extend from said lower side of saidbottom plate such that mountings for said gripping members do not extendinto said padding, whereby said shock absorbing layer formed by saidpadding isolates and prevents contact between said orthotic plate andsaid gripping members.
 16. The method of claim 16, further comprisingutilizing a rigid said second section.
 17. A method for making footwearcomprising: utilizing a first plate that is rigid from a heel of saidfootwear to a metatarsal region of said footwear; securing said firstplate with respect to an upper; positioning padding below said firstplate; securing a bottom plate of said footwear to said padding so thatsaid padding is between said first plate and said bottom plate, saidpadding forming a shock absorbing layer to isolate said first plate fromsaid bottom plate thereby preventing contact between said first plateand said bottom plate; and providing that said bottom plate is formed asa first section and a second section, said first section extends betweena heel of said footwear and a metatarsal region of said footwear, saidsecond section extends between said metatarsal region and a toe of saidfootwear; providing that said first section of said bottom plate isrigid; and flexibly joining said second section to said first section atsaid metatarsal region of said footwear, whereby said first section andsaid second section bend with respect to each other to allow a toeregion between said metatarsal region of said footwear and said toe endof said footwear to bend starting from said metatarsal region.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein a toe region extending from said first plateis flexible at said metatarsal region of said footwear.
 19. The methodof claim 17, wherein said second section is rigid.
 20. The method ofclaim 17, wherein only said padding is between said first plate and saidbottom plate.